This post may contain affiliate links. I only recommend excursions, products and tours that I have personally used and purchased myself. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a very small commission at no extra cost to you. All proceeds go to running this blog and your support is truly appreciated! All opinions are my own. Originally published: November 16, 2021 Basically, St Lucia is the heart of the Caribbean. Yes, geographically and perhaps even metaphorically. St Lucia is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea just north of Trinidad & Tobago. It would be remiss of me not to mention that St. Lucia is extremely hilly. Generally, much of St Lucia is on mountainous terrain. While this makes for breathtaking photo ops and views, you’ll frequently be walking on steep inclines. However, if it’s a concern, the good news is there are options. Specifically, a local told me the following accommodations are located on completely flat terrain. Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa – an all inclusive resort in Vieux Fort Sandals Grande Beach Resort – an all inclusive for couples, only in Gros Islet Sandals Halcyon Beach Resort – an all inclusive for couples, only in Vigie Rendezvous Resort – a resort on Malabar Beach in the Castries So, when one is not basking in the sun, lounging on the beach with toes in the sand, what is there to do in St Lucia? Take a tour of the Island by land, sea or both! Experience some of St. Lucia’s incredible dive & snorkeling sites Take Dive lessons or earn official PADI dive certifications Enjoy a catamaran ride or sunset cruise by boat Go kayaking in the Caribbean Sea Go off the beaten path & explore the island on an ATV Hike the iconic Pitons – Gros Piton (2,530 ft) or Petit Piton (2, 438 ft) Visit the worlds only Drive-in Volcano Get messy at the Sulfur Springs volcanic mud bath Have a guided tour in the beautiful Diamond Falls botanical garden Submerge yourself in Toraille Waterfall – a 50 ft waterfall and lagoon Explore the Rainforest (closed at the time of visit due to Covid, sadly but it’s open now!) Tour the local Rum distillery and taste over 25 different selections of Rum Visit Hotel Chocolat & learn all about growing cocoa trees, making chocolate & actually make some chocolate bars to take home with you! A local guide is required for all attractions, dive and snorkel sites. Surely, this is a good thing because you’ll want some direction on where to go, what to see, how to get there and context about the things you’re looking at. Tip: Gratuities are the cultural norm in St Lucia. Don’t forget to tip your guides! When you tour the island (however you decide to do so based on your time, preferences & budget) here are some of the key attractions: The world’s only Drive-in Volcano, Toraille Waterfall, the Diamond Falls Botanical Garden & The Pitons. All attractions are located in the south of the island in Soufriére. Saint Lucia also has a beautiful rain forest you can hike and view from the aerial tram. There are options to book a private guide for just you and your group (cost includes the guide and transportation). I highly recommend Vienney from TiKaye. He is extremely knowledgeable, accommodating to your specific needs or interests, laid back and great company! There’s nothing worse than spending a lot of money for a group tour and then feeling rushed, subjected to someone’s bad mood or unsavory energy or you didn’t get to spend time on things that you were truly fascinated about. Maybe you want to spend a little more time in one area and breeze through another? That’s why a private guided tour is worth every penny. With our tour, the only additional fees were paying for the nominal entrance fees to attractions ($7 USD per adult for the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens, less than $20 USD per adult for entrance to the Drive-in Volcano including a guide and time in the sulfur pools). Tip: Here is a another option for a private tour through a reputable company. Soaking in hot springs are associated with a variety of healing benefits. Specifically, they naturally detox the skin but have been thought to help with an assortment of irritations, rashes, skin ails, infections, pains and even internal issues. Fair warning: this is a busy attraction and you will smell afterwards! Yes, this, like many attractions on St Lucia is one that a huge tour bus will stop at and travelers will swarm the area in droves, all at once. The good news is, the guides of these large groups are mindful of keeping their group moving. There will actually be moments (although, perhaps brief), where you have an entire mineral pool to yourself. This is likely because the temp outside is in the high 80’s already, and then you’re sitting in a nice big crater of piping hot mineral water at well over 100 degrees. Tip: Bring a swimsuit and towel. I’ll state the obvious: don’t wear a light colored swimsuit. Although my bright yellow suit was caked by the time I went to shower, I didn’t wind up with a single stain. Another advisory is not to wear jewelry in the hot spring. However, I chose to leave my rings on. I didn’t have any issues, but I tried not to get the thick sulfur on them. If you have the time, desire or will – you can hike either or both of the Pitons. Besides the trails being very well maintained, the views, of course, are spectacular. While we did not do that this trip, we did see the Pitons up close by boat and numerous lookout points in Soufriére. It really is a majestic and awe inspiring sight! If a stay close to the Pitons and other attractions is important and you are feeling indulgent, a popular option is to stay at the all-inclusive resort The Viceroy Sugar Beach. This prominent 78 room resort runs about $600 – $1200+ a night, equips you with a butler and easy access to swimming at the base of the Pitons. Feeling fancier? There is always the renowned Jade Mountain, which every local and vacationer alike seems to have heard of. Why? It is hovering over the Caribbean Sea with a gorgeous view of The Pitons. Similarly, every room comes standard with a butler, no doors or windows in the room except for your front door & an infinity pool overlooking the ocean. Sound dreamy, right? However, this level of luxury will set you back $1400-$5000 a night. Other vacationers we met were staying at The Royalton and very much enjoyed it. This might be a good selection if you are seeking a true “resort” feel. If you’re in need of flat terrain, Coconut Bay, Rendezvous or Sandals Grande & Sandals Halcyon will be good options. We stayed at Tikaye (which means “little house” in Creole) Resort & Spa located just north of Canaries in Anse La Raye. The resort blends into the natural landscape, overlooking the secluded Anse Cochon Beach. If you are seeking a quieter, more serene ambiance; this will fit the bill. For instance, this is an adults only resort and all the accommodations are individual villas. The service, ambiance, food and amenities are excellent. Above all, it’s a very relaxing and serene environment. Tip: Also, check out my hotel guide here, where you can read all about my stay at Ti Kaye Resort and Spa! Each resort has an array of different types of food to pick from to cater to both the discerning and non-experimental palette. Traditional Saint Lucian fare is a fusion of Creole, Caribbean & French cuisine. Besides, authentic Saint Lucian food is delicious! The resort we stayed in serves delectable food, but if you have the opportunity, try and venture out to dine at a local restaurant in St. Lucia. Highly recommend a local’s favorite called The Beacon. Not only is it a great value, but the food is wonderful and the views are even better! For less than $20 USD per person, fixings are served buffet style and include a drink and desert. I highly recommend tasting Saint Lucian ice cream while in town. Something about it is so fresh and different. If you find yourself somewhere that has Saint Lucian coconut ice cream, do not hesitate! Some dishes served are: chicken curry, fried fish, coconut rice, plantains, sweet potato casserole, coleslaw, pigeon peas & green figs. Tip: Green figs & “salt fish” (or salted cod) is the national dish. Surprisingly to no one, I’m sure, St. Lucia is a magical experience. The only caveat is the island is literally crawling with couples. If you’re a solo traveler or large group looking to rave like the world is ending: is this the right setting for you? You, of course, should be the judge; but in my opinion, there are destinations better suited. However, don’t let that stop you from visiting this beautiful island if you feel compelled. This is, however, an ideal destination for couples looking for a romantic getaway! Tip: Fun fact – did you know that St. Lucians love country music? They love it. It’s on all the radio stations and also at their local dancing events for residents. A scene from Romancing the Stone was filmed at The Diamond Falls waterfall located in the Diamond Botanical Garden. The botanical garden by the way, is absolutely gorgeous and a must visit if you love plants, flowers and or are even an avid gardener. Although, even if you have not historically been a botanical enthusiast, the Diamond Falls Botanical Garden is sure to be a relaxing experience for you and your travel partner. All Guests must be accompanied by a guide, which will be assigned to you upon arrival. And in the spirit of Romancing the Stone… if you weren’t already, after visiting St. Lucia: “you are now a world-class hopeful romantic.” Have you been to St Lucia? How was your experience? Do you have any questions about visiting? If so, drop them in the comments below! Those traveling by air will need to complete this form online, prior to arrival. US citizens must have a valid passport for the entirety of your time in St Lucia. Further, you do not need a visa to visit St Lucia, but must show proof of an onward or return ticket and accommodation. Want to go island hopping? Then, get on a boat! You can visit Dominica, Martinique and Guadeloupe by ferry from St Lucia. At the time of my visit, the islands capital the Castries, the rainforest and the rum distillery were all closed to traveling visitors due to Covid. Check these out! Want to know how I travel so frequently? By booking jaw-dropping flight deals that are often so low you’d have to see ’em to believe it. The best part? They’re sent right to my inbox. You can try it out for free: here. I exclusively use this site to book all my stays. I get 20% off on all my stays plus additional perks from their loyalty program. Check it out! Get reliable travel medical insurance for your trip, for just $2 a day – here Looking for a flight on a specific date? Use this search engine and start earning rewards! Need to book your excursions and tours? This company is my favorite. This is another marketplace for tours, that is especially great for Europe. Renting a car for your adventure? Discover the right car for your journey: here. Do you love train travel as much as I do? Get your train tickets here! Want to travel in comfort and have lounge access around the world? Get that right here. You know what I love to do when I visit a new city? This!The Ultimate Guide to an EPIC Time in St Lucia
St Lucia, a Romantic Elysium
Ahh, St Lucia (pronounced Loo-Shah). The only country in the world named after a woman. Further, it’s also hailed as the most desirable honeymoon destination found around the globe. It’s easy to see why. It checks off all the quintessential boxes for a paradisiacal getaway. White sand beaches, warm tropical waters, stunning nature scapes and rainforest, vibrant reefs and spectacular diving and snorkeling. St Lucia has something special about it. It’s almost as if romance is oozing from its atmosphere. Like, it’s in the air.
Where is St Lucia?
The heart of the Caribbean
Accommodations on flat terrain
What is there to do in St Lucia?
Incredible private speedboat tour – perfect for photo ops
Saint Lucia land and sea tour
Guided ATV Tour with Hotel Pickup
Seven Hour Gros Piton Hike with Hotel Pickup
Drive in Volcano & Therapeutic Mud Bath tour
Adventure in St Lucia’s Rainforest – go on a hike, zipline and aerial tram
Distillery Tour and Rum Tasting Experience
Guide Requirements in St Lucia
What is the island of St Lucia like?
St. Lucia is a beautiful symphony of tranquility, natural beauty, culture, tropical delight, relaxation and adventure. You can choose the ratios of what you’d like to experience, pertaining to your specific interests.
All about the Sulpher Springs
Hiking the Pitons
Lodging & Accommodation – Where to Stay?
Find your dream accommodation for your trip to St Lucia:
Tikaye Resort & Spa
All About the Food
Check out this authentic St Lucia Food and Rum Tour
An Island of Romance and Relaxation
Diamond Falls Waterfall and Botanical Garden
Romancing the Stone was filmed here in part
Know Before You Go
Headed to St Lucia?
A complete St Lucia Chocolate Tour – Find out if it’s worth it!
Ti Kaye Resort & Spa Review – what you NEED to know about this utopia in St Lucia
Travel resources for YOU to plan an epic trip!
Love this review! Packed full of so much information! Hiking the Pitons has really moved up on my bucket list of things to do. One of my favorite travel blogs to read!
Our guide during our time in St. Lucia said that the hiking trails on the Pitons is very well manicured. St. Lucia is truly a paradise on earth. Thank you so much, Melissa!
Awesome post with lots of helpful info. St. Lucia is absolutely amazing…I love your photos!
Thanks so much, Sierra. I love St Lucia. It’s such a beautiful island.
Amazing information! I recently discovered your website and found it very useful. I also saw it mentioned on https://thingstodo-intravel.com/ which made me curious to explore more. Great content and helpful travel insights. Keep up the good work!